Comedian Bill Cosby will speak at the Drew commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18, 2002.

Known primarily for making people laugh and for his role as Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," Cosby is also well known for his commitment to education. Cosby, himself, went back to college, long after he had achieved much of his success and celebrity, to obtain a masters degree and an Ed.D at the University of Massachusetts.

"People always say ‘you don't need money, why are you still working?' My answer is that it isn't about money," Cosby says. "That's academic. It's about accepting the challenges of one's own ideas, clarifying the unanswered questions and pursuing the excitement of discovery."

In addition to television, movies, recordings and personal appearances, Cosby has achieved substantial acclaim as an author. His book, "Fatherhood," become the fastest-selling hardcover book of all time, remaining on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than half a year. Another book, " Time Flies," had the largest single first printing in publishing history at 1.75 million copies.

Drew's graduation is held on the back lawn of Mead Hall and begins at 10:30 a.m. on May 18. The public is welcome but Drew asks that reserved chairs be left for the guests of graduating students.